Winch construction



Jan. 20, 1942.- G, l, CLARK I 2,270,507

wINcH CONSTRUCTION Filed Nv. 2o, .1939 4 sheets-sheet 1 95 /25 f ,j ff

ATTORNEY yJan. 20,1942. G, CLARK l 2,270,507

WINCH CONSTRUCTION ATroRNEY Jan. 20, 1942. I 1, CLARK '2,270,507

WINCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 20, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNVENTOR era/d C/ark ATTORNEY #www i Jan. 2o, 1942.- G, CLARK l2,270,507

WINCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 20, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 20, 1942 WINCH CONSTRUCTION Gerald I. Clark, Mountain View, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Hugh A. Hutchins,

Arcadia., Calif.

Application November 20, '1939, Serial No. 305,224

14 Claims.

This invention relates generally to winch units of the type making use of a pluralityof drums for winding up or playing out separate -ropes or cables. More particularly, it relates to multiple drum winch unitsI adapted for attachment to present'day tractors for operation of various equipment such as road making machines, hoists, Scrapers, earth movers, and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a winch unit having an improved type of, control, thereby making possible selective operation of two or more drums in a simplified manner. In this connection the invention is characterized by use of a control lever having a plurality of operating positions for selective operation of the clutching Jand braking means for two drums.

Additional objects and improved features of the present invention can be briefly reviewed as follows: To afford improved means for mounting and journaling two or more alined winch drums upon a supporting housing; to alord a novel type of clutching mechanism which can be readily operated to apply power to either one of two alined drums; and to provide an assembly which is capable of severe service without undue wear or deterioration, and which can be adjusted and serviced without undue difficulty.

Additional objects of the invention` will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment of the invention hasbeen set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevatlonalview illustrating a winch unit incorporating the present invention;

' in conjunction with such two drums one or more' Figure 2 is a rear elevational view, in cross secthe line 6-6 of Figure 5.

The winch unit illustrated in the drawings incorporates 'features disclosed and claimed in Hutchins Patent No. 2,171,792, granted September 5, 1939, and entitled Attachment for tractors and the like. The unit disclosed in that instance has drums mounted side by side and independently controlled by two operating levers,

tion of-the winch unit, but showing a modified I y arrangement of springs for tensioning the brake bands; and l l,Figure 6 is a crosssectional detail taken along The winch disclosed in the present application has two drums controlled from a single lever, and

additional drums can be employed for handling supplemental ropes or cables.

Referring first to Figure 1, the winch unit is designated generally at I0, and is shown applied as an attachment to a tractor II. The unit itself includes a housing I2 which carries the winch drums A, B and C. The housing I2 is bolted to an adapter I3, which in turn is clamped to the portion I4 of the tractor, from which a drive shaft extends. Drum A is controlled by a lever I6, while drums B and C are controlled by lever I1.

The housing I2 can be made of suitable material such as cast steel, and includes a central portion I3 and side extensions I9. 'I'he drive shaft bular extensions 26 and 21, in alignment with the gears 23. 'I'hese extensions may be integral with the housing as shown, or they may be made as separate parts rigidly bolted or otherwise secured to the housing. Suitable journalling means such as roller bearing assemblies 28 serve to journal the drum A upon the tubular extension 26, whereby all of the lateral forces applied to this drum are transmitted to the extension 26. Ex-

tending upwardly through Aextension 26 there is a tubular drive shaft 29 and also a stationary rod or shaft 3|. The lower end of drive shaft 29 is splined to the worm gear 23 so that it may move a limited amount in a vertical direction.

The lower end of shaft 3I is. rigidly attached to a plate Vor disc 32 which in turn is rigidly bolted or likewise secured to the lower wall of housing I2. This plate is also shown provided with a thrust flange 33, which engages the lower face of gear 23.

Above the drum A, clutch elements are provided for connecting the drive shaft 29 with the drum. Thus, the upper end of the drive shaft 29 is4 provided with a ilange 34, which in turn serves to carry the conical clutch element 36. Clutch element 36 can engage with the conical clutch element 31 formed upon the upper end of the winchdrum.

To actuate clutch element 36, the upper end4 of shaft 3| is provided with a threaded portion 33 which is engaged by a nut 39. A bail bearing assembly 4|, or other suitable type of journaled means connects the lower portion of nut 39 with a hub 42 formed on the flange 34. Thus, upon turning nut 39 in one direction, clutch element 38 together with shaft 29 is raised to disengaged position, while turning the nut in an opposite` direction serves to shift element 38 downwardly to engaged position, whereby the drum A rotates together with shaft 29. The control lever I8 is secured to the nut 39 by means of a clamp 43.

The upper part of the drum A is also provided with a brake drum 44 which is adapted to be en- Saeed by the brake band 48. One end of this brake band is shown anchored to an adjustment tie-bolt 41 (Figure 3) which in turn is secured to the rigid upright 48. The lower end of upright 48 is suitably mounted upon the housing |2. The other end of the brake band is pivotally connected to the links '49, which in turn are pivotally connected to the arms I; carried by a vertical rock shaft 52. The upright 48 has suitable brackets 53 serving to carry and journal the rock shaft 52. Shaft 52 is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 3, by a suitable spring, such as a compression spring 54. One end of this spring is seated upon a suitable bracket 58, carried by upright 48, while the other end engages an arm 51, carried by rock shaft 52. Normally the brake band 48 grips the brake drum 44 to prevent rotation of the winch drum A in a clockwise direction as viewed' in Figure 3. However, the brake is self releasing when the drum is driven in a counter-clockwise direction. To release the brake band48 manually, by manipulation of the control lever I8, a lever 58 is secured to the upper end of rock shaft 52 and extends toward the nut 39. Clamp 43 carries a cam roller 59 which engages and moves lever 58 when the nut is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 3. Rotation of lever 58 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3 serves to effect release ofthe brake band 48, thus permitting the winch drum A to unwind. Thus, swinging the forward end of control lever I8 horizontally between two extreme positions from a neutral position, serves either to establish a drive connection to the drum A, to wind up the cable or rope, or in the opposite extreme position to release the brake and permit the cable to play out. In the intermediate neutral position, the drum is locked against rotation and remains stationary. -A spring 88 serves to retain lever I8 in neutral position. One end of this spring is connected to a lug on clamp 43, while its other end is attached to the bracket 53.

The mounting of drum B is similar to drum A. Roller bearing assemblies 8| serve to journal the drum to the tubular extension 21. The upper end of drum'B carries another tubular extension 82, the lower end of which is flanged and secured. to the upper end of the drum B as by means of bolts 83. Drum C is suitably journaled to the extension 82, as by means of roller bearing assemblies 84. As will be presently explained, the upper end of extension 82 connects with one of the clutch elements for applying torque to the lower drum B. Therefore, extension 82 serves to transmit lateral thrusts applied to drum C, to the lower drum B, and at the same time serves to transmit torque to the lower drum.

Extending upwardly through the extensions 21 and 82, there is a tubular shaft 88 and also a stationary shaft 81. The lower end of shaft 81 is secured to a plate 32, which in turn is attached to the housing, in the same manner as described for shaft 3|. 'I'he upper end of tubular shaft 88 is provided with a flange 88 to which is secured the conical clutch element 89. Below clutch element 89 there is a conical clutch element 1|, secured to the upper end of extension 82. Above the clutch element 89 there is a conical clutch element 12 which is adjustably mounted upon a cylindrical shell 13, this shell being in turn a part of or secured to the upper end of drum C.

`As a convenient and desirable type of mounting for clutch element 12, a plate 14 is shown clamped upon the upper end of shell 13, and the lower face of this plate carries a depending annular flange 18. The clutch element 12 is carried by a cylindrical portion 11 which is slidably fitted in annular flange 18, and portion 11 is secured to a cylindrical portion 18 of smaller diameter, which is externally threaded and which has threaded engagement with the plate 14. A member 19 is bored to accommodate extension 18, and these parts are splined together by means of a pin 8|. Member 19 is secured to the plate 14, as by means of screws y'82. By removing these screws, member 19 can be turned to rotate the clutch element 12 (and its threaded portion 18) relative to the plate 14, thus raising or lowering the clutch element to a desired position. When a desired adjustment has been obtained, the screws 82 can be re-inserted in threaded holes 83, provided for that purpose in plate 14.

'I'he upper end of stationary shaft 81 has a threaded portion 88 engaged by the internally threaded nut 91. It is desirable to use a double` thread in order to increase the travel of the nut for given increments of turning movement. 'I'he upper end of shaft 88 has an enlarged hub 88 which is connected to the lower end of nut 81. by means of ball bearing assembly 89. Thus, turning nut 81 between limiting positions moves clutch element 89 together with shaft 88 to either establish driving engagement with clutch element 12 and thereby rotate the upper drum C, or to engage clutch elements 89 and 1I and thereby drive the lower drum B.

A bracket 9| is mounted upon the upper end of nut 81, and this bracket carries a pivot pin 92 extending horizontally and at right angles to the axis of shaft 81. 'I'he lower end of lever |1 is secured to a shank 93, which in turn is journaled to pin 92. The shank 93 also serves as a mounting for the cam roller 94, which is for a purpose to be presently explained. The pivotal connection of lever |1 with the nut 81 permits swinging of lever I1 in -avertical plane Icoincident with the axis of shaft 81 without turning nut 81. Movement of the forwardly extending portion of lever |1 in a horizontal plane in opposite directions to turn the nut 81 establishes drive connection toeither drums B or C, as previously described. Intermediate the two extreme .operating positions there is an intermediate position in which the clutch element 89 will be disengaged with respect to both elements 1| and 12 so that neither drum is driven.

'I'he winch drums B and C are also provided with brake bands 98 and 91. Band 98 surrounds a. cylindrical brake drum 98 carried by the upper end of drum B. Band 91 engages the lower portion of the cylindrical shell 13. Corresponding ends of both the bands 98 and 91 Vare anchored to tie bolts |8I, which in turn arel'secured to the rigid upright |02. The other ends of the bands 98 and 91 are secured respectively to connected to the arms |08 and |01, which in turn are carried by the aligned shafts |08 and |||9. Shaft |09 is in the formv of a tube, through which shaft |08 extends. Both shafts are suitably carried by brackets |I0, which in turn are secured to the upright |02. Compression springs and H2, corresponding to spring 54 for drum A, act upon lingers ||3 and ||4, to normally urge both shafts 08 and 09 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3. and 91 are tightened .upon their respective brake drums to normally lock the drums against rotation.

The mechanism for manual release'of drums 96 and 91 is selective, and is actuated by movements of the control lever |1 about the axis of pin 92. Thus, secured to the upper end of shaft |08; there is an arm ||6 which has a cam portion ||1 normally disposed near the roller 94, .and at an angle of substantially 40 degrees with respect to the line of centers between shaft 61 and shafts |08. |09. Below arm ||9 there is a second arm ||8 secured to the shaft |09. Arm ||8 has two cam portions ||9 and |2|, in the proximity of roller 94, and these portions also extend at angles of approximately 40,degrees with respect to the line of centers previously mentioned, but at opposite inclinations. Portion I2I is provided with a protuberance |22 for a so-called lock out position of the control lever |1, as will be presently explained. Extending along the opposite side of the roller 94, from that occupied by arms ||6 and H8,y there is a stationary arm |23 which is carried by the stationary upright |02, and which has a straight roller engaging face |24.

It is desirable to provide spring means for retaining lever |1 in a neutral position, with respect to the two positions for driving drums B and C. Simple means for this purpose includes an arm |26 carried by the bracket 9| on nut 81. The outer end of this arm is pivotally connected to a slide |21 on rod |28. One end of this rod has a pivotal connection |29 to the upright |02. Rod |28 carries compression springs |3| and |92 which engage slide |21 and serve to urge the same to an intermediate position corresponding to neutral position of lever |1.

In place of compression springs I|| and ||2,

engaging lever portion ||1, andturning lever ||6 to rotate rock shaft |09 in a counter-clockwise direction to release the associated brake 'band 96 and thus permit unwinding rotation of the lower drum B. Conversely, as the forward end of the control lever is raised to swing roller 94 rearwardly, lever portion |2| is placed to the right as viewed in Figure 3, whereby lever H8 and rock shaft |09 are swung in a counterclockwise direction, to release the upper brake band 91 and its associated winch drum C. Between the two limiting positions just mentioned, there is a neutral position illustrated in Figure 3 in whichboth 4brake bands are engaged, although when power is applied to a drum its associated brake band is automatically released.

Thus, both the bands 9|;v

, C, the position of roller 94 is such 3 when the foi-ward end of control lever n is swung upwardlyl toits utmost limit, slightly farther than the position required to rel hind protuberance |22, and the protuberance serves as a detent. While roller 94 is thus engaged. the operator may release his grip upon lever l1. and the lever will stay in this lock-out position until suicient force is applied to lever I1 to remove roller 94 from notch |22. In this lock-out position, control lever |1 is also infneutrai position with respect to establishing drive connection to drums B and C, and it cannot be swung to the right, because of the angularity of the axis of roller 84 with respect to shaft 01.

Operation of the complete winch unit described above can be briefly summarized as follows: It will be presumed that the unit has been mounted upon a tractor, and is being used to operate an earth mover, scraper. or like equipment. Cables such as are required for operation of the earth moving equipment, are applied to the drums of the unit. The number of cables required would depend upon the equipment utilized. The leads of the two cables which require coordinated operation are appliedrto the drums B and C. The operator now has full selective control over the winding up or playing out of these cables. For neutral position of lever |1, the two drums B and C will be stationary and will be locked against unwinding movement. If it is desired to wind up one of the drums, while the other drum is permitted to remain stationary, the operator swings the forward extension of lever '|1 to the right or to the left, from an intermediate neutral position. This raises or lowers the nut 81, to raise the clutch element 69 into engagement with clutch 12, or to lower clutch element 89 into engagement with clutch 1|. rAssuming'that shaft 2| is being driven, one or the.other of the two drums B and C are driven, while the other drum remains stationary. Assuming that one desires to selectively release the brake for either drum, whereby the released drum is permitted to unwind its cable while the other drum remains stationary, the forward end of lever |1 is swung upwardly or downwardly, from neutral position. This serves to actuate the levers H6 and H0,

' as previously described, to selectively release the brake bands 96 and 91. Should one desire to release one of the drums B or C, while the other drum is being driven, this can be accomplished by both swinging the forward end of lever |1 to a lmiting position horizontally, and at the same time swinging it about the axis of pivot pin 92. Thus by swinging the forward end of lever l1 downwardly, while at the same time swinging it to the right, lever ||6 is operated to release the lower drumv B, while at the same time nut 81 is turned to cause engagement between ciutch elements 69 and 12, and to drive the upper drum C. By swinging the forward end of lever I1 from neutral position upwardly,l

and at the same time .swinging it to the left, lever |I8 is operated to release the upper drum C. thus permitting this drum to unwind.`while nut 81 is turned toestablish' engagement between` clutch elements 89 and 1| to drive the lower drum B.l

It will be evident from the foregoing that the type of control described i'or drums B and C enables full selective operation by manipulation of a single control lever. Thus, the cables supplied to drums B and C can be wound up or played out as the operator-may desire, thus making possible coordination operations in the equipment to which the cables connect. As previously pointed out, lever I6 operates drum A substantially inthe same' manner as described for the control levers in Hutchins Patent 2,171,792.

In addition to providing a maximum degree of selective control, my winch unit is capable of withstanding relatively severe usage, and it can be readily serviced and adjusted under field lconditions. Clutch element 69 is free oating and self-aligning with respect to clutch elements 1I and 12, since it is secured to the upper end of the tubular drive shaft 66, and is journaled to the upper end of the stationary shaft 61. 'I'he upper end of stationary shaft 61 may give a certain amount, since it need not be sufliciently rigid to carry any of the side thrust applied to the drums B and C. All of the side thrust applied to the drums B and C is eventually taken by the stationary tubular extension 21 upon the housing.

I claim:

1. A winch unit comprising at least two winch drums disposed in axial alignment, means serving to mount the drums for independent rotation,

a rotatable driving member extending through the drums, braking means for each drum, each braking means being self releasing to permit driving of the drum in one direction but gripping automatically to normally prevent unwinding rotation in an opposite direction, means for releasing each of said braking means to permit unwinding rotation of the associated drum, three clutch elements disposed near one end of one of the drums, one element being connected with the driving member, a second element connected to one drum, and a third element connected to the second drum, means for shifting the first clutch element into engagement with either the second ing means for selectively releasing said braking means when the lever is moved to either one of two operating positions, and mechanism connecting the lever to said clutching means for selectively clutching each drum with the driving means by movement of the' lever to either one of two additional operating positions.

4. A winch unit comprising at least two winch drums, a rotatable driving member for both of the drums, means associated with each drum Y for releasably clutching it to the driving member, braking means for each drum, each vbraking means being self releasing to permit driving of the drum in one direction but gripping automatically to prevent unwinding rotation in an opposite direction, means for releasing each of said braking means thereby permitting unwinding rotation of the associated drum, a single manual control lever having at least four different operating positions, mechanisms connecting said lever to said brake releasing means for causing selective release of the braking means for said drums when the lever is moved to either one of two of its operating positions, andmechanism connecting said lever to said clutching means and serving to selectively clutch either one of said drums with the driving means respone sive to movement of said lever to either one of two other operating positions of the same.

5. In a winch unit, at least two winch drums in axial alinement, a rotatable driving member for both said drums, means associated with each drum for releasably clutching the same to the driving member; braking means for each drum, each braking means being self releasing to permit driving of the drum in one direction y but gripping automatically to normally prevent or third clutch elements, said means including a single operating member movable from a neutral position into either one of two operating positions, and means for movement of said operating member into either one of two additional operating positions to effect selective release of the said braking means, said last named means including mechanism connecting said operating member with said brake releasing means.

2. In a winch unit, a housing, a rigid tubular extension mounted upon the housing, a winch drum journaled upon the extension, a second rigid tubular extension mounted upon the winch drum, a second winch drum journaled upon said second tubular extension, both said winch drums being in alignment, a tubular drive shaft extending through both said drums and said extensions, a stationary shaft extending through said tubular shaft, clutching means for establishing driving connection between one end of said tubular shaft and either the second drum or said extension from the first drum, said clutching means including one clutching element journaled to the upper end of said stationary shaft and having a driving connection with said tubular shaft.

3. In a winch unit, at least two winch drums,

driving means for both drums, means associated with each drum for releasably clutching the same to the driving means, normally engaged braking means for each drum, each braking means being self releasing to permit driving of the drum in one direction, means for releasing each of said braking means to permit unwinding rotation of the associated drum, a single control lever having a plurality of operating positions, mechanism connecting the lever and said brake releasunwinding rotation in an opposite direction, means for releasing each of said braking means to permit unwinding rotation of the associated drum, a single operating lever having a neutral position and also being movable to at least four operating positions, mechanism connecting the lever to said brake releasing means to effect selective release of said braking means responsive to movement of the lever to either one of two of its operating positions, andrmechanism connecting said lever to said clutching means to effect selective clutching of either one of said drums to said driving means responsive to movement of said lever to either one of two other operating positions.

6. In a winch unit, at least two winch drums,

driving means for the drums, means associated with each drum for releasably clutching the same to the driving means, braking means for each drum, each braking means being self releasing to permit driving of the drum in one direction but gripping automatically to normally prevent unwinding rotation in an opposite direction, means for releasing each of said braking means 'to permit unwinding rotation of the associated drum, a single operating lever having a neutral position and a plurality of operating positions, mechanisms connecting said lever to said brake releasing means to effect selective release 0f said braking means responsive to movements of the lever to either one of two of its operating positions, additional mechanism connecting the lever to said clutch means to effect selective clutching of said drums to said driving means responsive to movement of said lever to either one of two distinctly different operating positions, both said `connecting mechanisms being adapted to permit movement of the operating lever to two additional operating positions for simultaneous selective clutching of one drum to the driving means while the braking means for the other drum is released, or for clutching of the other drums to the driving means with simultaneous release of the braking means for' the other drum.

`7. A winch unit comprising at least two winch drums, driving means for said drums, means as,- sociated with each drum for releasably clutching it to the `driving means, braking means for each drum, each-braking means being'self releasing to permit driving of the drum in one direction but gripping automatically to normally prevent unwinding rotation in an opposite direction, means for releasing each of said braking means to permit unwinding rotation of the associated drum, and mechanism for the selective operation of said clutching means and said brake rreleasing means, a single operating member having a neutral position and also a plurality of operating positions, and motion-transmitting mechanisms connecting the lever to the brake releasing means and to the clutching means, said mechanisms being so constructed that when the lever is shifted to one operating position one drum is clutched to the driving means whereby the one drum is driven, while the second drum remains stationary, when the lever is shifted to a second operating position the second drum is clutched to the driving means while the first drum remains stationary, when shifted to a third operating position the braking means for the one annular friction clutch elements disposed concentric with respect to the axis of the drums, one clutch element being directbf connected to the tubular extension from the first drum, the second element being directly connected to the second drum, and the third element having a direct driving connection with said shaft, and means for shifting the third clutch element in a direction longitudinally of the axis of said drums to establish clutching engagement with either the first or the second clutch elements.

10. In a winch unit, a housing, a rotatable winch drum carried by the housing, a tubular extension connected to the first winch drum, a second winch drum journaled upon said tubular extension with the two winch drums being in alinement, a tubular drive shaft extending axially through the drums, a stationary shaft extending kaxially through the tubular drive shaft,

clutching means for establishing driving connection between one end of the tubular drive shaft and either the second drum or the tubular extension from the first drum, a clutching element having a direct driving connection with the tubular drive shaft and movable in opposite directions longitudinally of the axis of the drums, a member carried by said stationary shaft and movable longitudinally of said shaft, means serving to journal said clutch element to said member, and clutch elements adapted to be engaged by said first element and connected to the tubular extension and to the second drum.

11. In a winch unit, a pair of winch drums disposed end to end and in alinement, means for trically with respect to the axis of the drums, a drive connection between one of the clutch elements and the rotatable drive member, said con- .nection permitting movement of the element in a direction longitudinally of the axis of the drums, a second clutch element, a driving connection between the second clutchk element and the first for the first drum is released to permit it to unments disposed within said shell and axially alined within the same, one element having a driving connection with the driving member, the sec-ond element having a driving connection with the shell, and the third element having a driving connection with the second drum, and means for shifting the rst clutch element into clutching engagement with either the second or third clutch element.

9. In a winch unit, a housing, a rotatable winch drum carried by the housing, a tubular extension mounted upon the winch drum, a second winch drum journaled upon said tubular extension, both said winch drums being in alinement, a driving shaft extending through said drums, clutching means located near one end of the second winch drum and serving to establish driving engagement between the shaft and either the second drum or the tubular extension from the nrst drum, said clutching means including three drum, a driving connection between the third clutch element and the second drum, a rotatable member disposed in alinement withrespect to the axis of the drums, means for mounting said member for rotation of the same about the axis of the drums with simultaneous shifting of the member in a direction longitudinally of the axis, means connecting said member and the first named clutch element to cause said first named clutch element to be shifted into clutching engagement with either one of the last two menf tioned clutch elements responsive to rotation of said member in opposite directions, a control lever, means serving to pivotally connect one end of the control lever to said member for pivotal movement about an axis at right angles to the axis of the drums and independently of rotation of said member, braking means for each of the drums, each braking means .being self releasing to permit driving ofthe associated dnlm in one direction but gripping automatically to normally prevent unwinding rotation in an opposite direction, means for releasing said braking means to permit unwinding rotation of the associated drum, and means actuated by pivotal Vmovement of the control lever about the axis of its pivotal connection for selectively actuating said brake releasing means.

12. In a winch unit, a pair of rotatable winch drums disposed end to end and in alinement, a rotatable drive member, clutching means for en- 888mg each drum with said drive member and including a plurality of clutch elements, a nut disposed near one end of one of the drums and rotatable t0 move the same in opposite' directions, a connection between the nut and an element of the clutching means for causing the clutching means to engage either drum with the driving member by rotation of the nut in either direction, a control lever, means serving to plvotally connect one end 0f the control lever to the nut for pivotal movement about an axis at right angles to the axis of the nut and independent oi' rotation of the nut, braking means for the drums, and means actuated by pivotal movement of the control lever about said axis for controlling said braking means.

13. In a winch unit, a pair of rotatable winch drums disposed end to end and in alinement, a rotatable drive member, clutching means for engaging each drum with said drive member and including a plurality of clutch elements, a nut disposed near one end of one of the drums and rotatable to move the same in opposite directions. a connection between the nut and an element of the clutching means for causing the clutching means to engage either drum with the driving member by rotation of the nut in either direction, a control lever, means serving to pivotally tion, means for releasing each of said braking means to permit unwinding rotation of the associated drums, and means actuated by pivotal movement of the control lever about said axis for selectively operating said brake releasing means.

14.1In a winch unit, a pair of rotatable winch drums disposed end to end and in alinement. a rotatable drive member extending axially through the drums, clutching means including a plurality of friction clutch elements for engaging each drum with said drive member, a nut disposed near one end of one of the drums, a stationary member disposed axially of the drums and with which the nut has threaded engagement, whereby the nut can be shifted in opposite directions by rotation of the same, means operably connecting the nut with an element of the clutching means to cause the clutching means to engage either drum with the drive member responsive to rotation of the nut, a control lever, means serving to pivotally connect one end ot thecontrol lever to the nut for pivotal movement about an axis at right angles to the axis of the drums,

'braking means for the drums, each braking means being self releasing to permit driving of the associated drumin one direction but gripping automatically to normally prevent unwinding rotation in an opposite direction, means for releasing each of said braking means to permit unwinding rotation of the associated drum, and means actuated by pivotal movement of the control lever about said pvotal axis for selectively controlling said brake releasing means.

GERALD I. CLARK. 

